Pedestrian Struck, Killed By SMART Train

ROHNERT PARK, CA –A man was struck and killed by a SMART train Thursday evening in Rohnert Park with one witness saying the individual was possibly wearing headphones and did not appear to hear the warning horn when he “walked” in front of the train at the Golf Course Drive crossing, according to authorities.

Arriving officers found the 29-year-old deceased laying away from the track and near the fence. His identity was withheld pending notification of his family, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit reported the collision on Twitter at 5:41 p.m. along with system-wide delays. While some train routes continued, bus bridges were used to transport riders to various destinations.

There were 84 passengers on the train plus several witnesses in the area, with one telling investigators "the male was walking on the sidewalk east with his head down looking at something in his hands," police said. "The witness also described what appeared to be headphones on the man’s ears as he was walking."

The person said the train horn sounded as it approached the pedestrian and that he was surprised the man continued walking, officials said.

"According to the witness, it did not appear the man tried to stop walking and ended up in the path of the train," police said.

The train engineer told investigators he saw the man walking toward the track, sounded the horn in an attempt to get the pedestrian's attention and activated the emergency-braking system which brought the train to a halt approximately 300 feet from the point of impact, police said.

Rohnert Park traffic investigators and SMART officials confirmed the rail system and warning devices at the crossing and on the train were activated and functional, police said.

The speed of the train is unknown at this time, pending a review of electronic data from the train which records input from the engineer.

SMART officials reported all trains were back on schedule shortly before 9 p.m.

The case is still being investigated by SMART and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department, as well police, and anyone with information can call the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Investigations Bureau at (707-584-2630).

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--Bay City News contributed to this post/Shutterstock image